Fear the Spotlight First Impressions

Who Says Horror Can’t Be Heartwarming?

Even though we have a preview of this one in Issue #2 of Fearzine Magazine, I couldn't wait to share my thoughts and impressions on this incredible horror experience by Cozy Game Pals. I just rolled credits on my first playthrough (multiple playthroughs are encouraged) and I am so happy with this take on survival horror. Fear the Spotlight is the first release under the new publishing banner Blumhouse Games and, if this is any indication of what to expect from further titles, we are in for a wild ride! 

First off, let's address the elephant in the room. We are a magazine first publication, which is a challenge in this digital age of instant gratification and the rat race to be first. So what if we’re not the first? That is not the point. We at Fearzine believe in the power of physical media, games, magazines, vinyl\CDs, the things that keep experiences relevant well after release.  We are not racing to the internet to be the first. We want to do the best that we can to cover as many special horror games as possible. 

However, I want to get my thoughts and first impressions about Fear the Spotlight shared in a timely fashion as many early adopters might be curious about what to expect. Additionally, we have graciously received a review code for the game and want to contribute to the overall discussion in this instance. Thank you, Blumhouse Games. 

Cozy Game Pals are a small two-person team that has been making games on itch.io for a while now. Fear the Spotlight was first released in 2023 on Steam but then removed when Blumhouse Games picked it up for publishing, which has never really happened before. They helped this small team build upon and refine what they had to deliver the game as it is now.

I love the puzzle elements in this game, as puzzles are one of the greatest draws for me in horror, next to terrifying monsters and bloody combat. Unlike most games released lately, Fear the Spotlight goes hard on the puzzles, combining problem solving with the fear and tension from games like Outlast and Silent Hill. The puzzles have a palpable tactile feel as many actions require you to actually do things, not just click "use" and watch as the item goes in the slot and something opens. These interactions deepen by being multifaceted and intertwined with one another. They are not terribly difficult, but they will make you feel clever when you sort them out.

Then there is the story, which is surprisingly charming and heartfelt. It's one of the few games in the genre where I quickly cared  and felt for the characters. It's also not long, but appropriately so, clocking in around four hours for me. This is the perfect little spoopy puzzle fix I needed; plus, a new version of the story was unlocked when I finished the game. Yay! More creepy puzzles to solve!

I am delighted with this charming, spooky game so far. To learn more about Fear the Spotlight, visit the game's Steam Page and Official Website.

Fear the Spotlight is now available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam. Stay tuned for our full review in the future.